Combination variable resistance and electrical switch actuating means

ABSTRACT

An electrical control has a variable resistance control combined with a normally open switch. Any manual adjustment made to the variable resistance control causes the switch contacts to be closed before actual adjustment of the variable resistance control begins and, after the force causing manual adjustment of the control is removed, the switch contacts are opened without disturbing the resistance setting of the control.

United States Patent [72] Inventor John Zdanys, Jr.

Edwardsburg, Mich. [21] Appl. No. 761,602 [22] Filed Sept. 23, 1968 [45] Patented Mar. 2, 1971 [73] Assignee C T S Corporation, Elkhart, Inc.

[54} COMBINATION VARIABLE RESISTANCE AND ELECTRICAL SWITCH ACTUATING MEANS 11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 200/17, 200/ 18 [51] Int. Cl H01h 3/00 [50] Field olSearch 200/11 (C), 16,44,17,18,14,153.10,153.19

[ 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,207,860 9/1965 Korsgren et a1 ZOO/17X 2,062,440 12/1936 Beal 200/11(C)X 5M lzllsltt 2,121,671 6/1938 Schwarze 200/11(C)X 2,663,780 12/1953 Hept et al. 200/1 1(C)X 2,778,891 l/l957 Jacobi ZOO/11(C) 2,948,832 8/1960 Hollins 200/16(-)X 3,218,401 11/1965 Root 200/1l(C) 3,244,822 4/1966 Elliott 200/16 3,271,531 9/1966 Winogrocki et a1. 200/1 1(C)X Primary Examiner Robert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner-J. R. Scott Attorneys-John .1. Gaydos and Ralph E. Krisher, Jr.

Pmmmm 2m 3561876 SHEET 1 BF 2 FIGURE-2 m INVENTOR JOHN ZDANYS JR.

3? FIGURE-4 TTORNEY PATENTEDNAR 21971 3567876 SHEET 2 [IF 2 INVENTOR JOHN ZENYS JR.

FIGURE-8 BY W Q COMBBIATION VARIABLE RESISTANCE AND ELECTRICAL SWITCH ACTUATING MEANS The present invention relates to combination electrical controls, and, more particularly, to a combination variable resistance and electrical switch control.

Variable resistance controls are used in different types of electrical equipment, e.g., radio and television receiving sets for controlling various functions such as volume. When a variable resistance control is mounted in a remotely controlled television set for controlling the volume, it is preferable that manual adjustment override and render inoperable the remote control circuitry. Remote control circuits preferably are rendered inoperable, e.g., by disconnecting or grounding out the control circuit signal, before manual adjustment of the variable resistance control is made. Although the remote control circuitry can be rendered inoperable by separate manual switching means, it would be desirable to combine such switching means with the variable resistance control. Preferably actuation of the switching means is performed before any adjustment is made to the variable resistance control and, after the adjustment has been made, the switching means should open the contacts without disturbing the resistance setting of the control. 7

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved combination electrical control having the various desirable features asset forth above. Another object of the present invention is toprovide a combination electrical control with an improved switch for rendering inoperable a circuit as soon as manual adjustment of the control is started and before any change to the resistanceof the control is made. An additional object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved combination electrical control having a normally open switch closing with initial movement of the control actuating means and, after the switch is closed, further movement of the control actuating means alters the resistance of the control. A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved electrical switch whereby a force causing movement of the switch actuating means initially stresses a spring centering means storing energy therein and then closes a pair of switch contacts, the energy stored in the spring centering means opening the switch contacts when the force causing movement of the switch actuating means is removed. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a combination variable resistance and electrical switch control whereby initial movement of the control actuating means in either direction closes a pair of switch contacts and further movement of the control actuating means alters the resistance of the control and, upon removing the force causing movement of the control actuating means, the switch contacts open without disturbing the resistance setting of the variable resistance control. Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty characterizing the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Briefly, the present invention is concerned with a combination electrical control comprising a variable resistance control and a switch operable with a control actuating means. A driver supported in the housing frictionally engages one of the surfaces thereof and a contactor carried by the driver wipably engages a collector for electrically connecting the resistance element into an electric circuit. A switch actuator constrained to rotate with the control actuating means, e.g., a shaft, is provided with an actuator arm. A pair of switch contacts carried by the driver are disposed on opposite sides of the actuator arm. Spring centering means resiliently connects the driver to the control actuating means. By applying a force to the control actuating means and moving the actuator arm, the actuating means stresses the spring centering means until the actuator arm engages one of the switch contacts carried by the driver making an electrical connection therebetween. Further movement of the control actuating means in the same direction causes movement of the driver altering' the resistance of the variable resistance control. Energy stored in the spring centering means during movement of the control actuating means before the switch contacts are closed is insufficient to overcome the friction between the driver and the housing. MOvement of the driver does not, therefore, occur until the actuator arm engages one of the'switch contacts. When the force is removed from the actuating means, the energy stored in the spring centering means is sufficient to cause movement of the actuator arm in the opposite direction opening the electrical connection between the actuating arm and the contact without disturbing the resistance setting of the variable resistance control.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference may be had tothe accompanying drawings wherein the same reference numerals have been applied to like parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a combination variable resistance and electrical switch control built in accord with the present invention;.

FIG. 2 is a sectionalview of the control shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the electrical switch of the control shown in FIG. 1; l

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2 assuming that FIG. 2 is shown in full;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a combination variable resistance and electrical switch control;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the controlshown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the electrical switch shown in FIG. 5; l

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 6 assuming that FIG. 6 is shown in full; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 8 .of the drawings of an additional embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. l3 of the drawings, there isillustrated a combination electrical control generally indicated at 11 comprising a variable resistance control 12 having an electrical switch 13 secured thereto.

Considering first the variable resistance control 12, it com prises a cup-shaped housing 14 having a base 15 of suitable electrically nonconductive material closing the open end of the housing. The base 15 is fixedly secured to the housing 14 with a plurality of ears 16 folded over the outer surface of the base 15. Means defining an arcuate resistance path 17, e.g., a carbon film resistance element, is suitably bonded or mechanically secured to the inner surface of the base 15 and the ends of the resistance element are connected to a pair of terminals 18. When a not-shown wirewound resistance element is employed instead of a carbon film resistance element, it is insulatedly disposed in the housing 14 in a manner well-known in the art. A collector ring 19 mounted on the base 15 in spaced relationship to the resistance path 17 is provided with a-center terminal 20 and a wiper 21 electrically connects the resistance path 17 to the collector 19.

A resistance driver section 22 is constrained to move with a control actuating means 23 after the actuating means 23 is displaced a predetermined distance. In the present embodiment, the control is of the rotatable type; therefore, the control actuating means 23 is a rotatable member such as a shaft. The control also can be of the rectilinear type, i.e., having an actuating means movable in a straight line. In the present invention, the shaft 23 extending through an opening 15a provided in the base l5'is rotatably mounted in the housing 14 concentric to the arcuate resistance path 17 and rotatably supports the resistance driver section. The wiper 21 is secured to the driver section 22 and, therefore, constrained to rotate therewith for wiping contact with the resistance path 17 and the collector 19. The control 11 can be mounted to a notshown mounting panel with the shaft 23 extending through an opening provided in the panel by securing a fastener such as a nut to a threaded bushing 24 rotatably supporting the shaft. The threaded bushing 24 is fixedly secured to a ground plate 25 butting against the outer surface of the base 15 and secured to the housing 14 by means of the folded ears 16. As will become apparent from the following description of the switch 13, one of the contacts of the switch is electrically connected to the shaft and, since the shaft is rotatably supported in the bushing 24 which is grounded to the mounting panel, an electrical connection can readily be made to one side of the switch by grounding one side of the circuit.

Considering now the electrical switch 13, it comprises a switch housing 31 (see FIG. 2) fixedly secured to the variable resistance housing 14 by meanswell-known in the art. An electrically nonconducting supporting member 32 closes the open end of the switch housing and an opening 33 provided in the rear wall 310 of the switch housing 31 rotatably supports the end of the shaft 23 extending into the switch housing 31. A switch driver section 34 rotatably supported on the portion of the shaft 23 disposed in the switch housing 31 is provided with a connecting hub 35 passing through an opening 32a in the supporting member 32. For interlocking and constraining the switch driver section 34 to rotate with the resistance driver section 22, a pair of diametrically opposed lugs 35a projecting from the hub 35 are received in slots 22a provided in the driver section 22. Hereinafter, when the resistance driver section and the switch driver section 34 are considered as a unit, they will be referred to as a driver 26. i

As illustrated in the preferred form'of the invention, spring centering means such as a short section of spring wire 36 is received in an opening 23aprovided in the shaft 23. The ends of the spring centering means 36 are contained in slots 34a provided in the switch driver section 34 for resiliently connecting the driver section 34 to the shaft. A switch contactor 37 provided with a pair of spaced contact fingers 38 is fixedly secured to the switch driver section 34 with a pair of ears 39 folded over the peripheral edge of the switch driver section and secured in suitable notches 40. The contactor 37 wipably engages a switch collector 41 secured to the supporting member 32 for electrically connecting the contactor 37 to a switch terminal 42 integral with the collector 41. A switch actuator 43 provided with a noncircular opening 43a is mounted on the portion 23b of the shaft having a'noncircular cross section for constraining the shaft 23 to rotate with the actuator 43. Stacked portions 23c (see FIGS. 2 and 4) of the shaft fixedly secure the actuator 43 to the shaft. An actuator arm 44 extending radially outwardly from the switch actuator 43 is centered between the pair of spaced contact fingers 38 by the spring centering means 36 (see FIG. 4). The pair of contact fingers 38 extend rearwardly from the switch contactor 37 into a radial slot 34b provided in the switch driver section 34. To prevent deflection of the fingers 38 with respect 'to the switch driver section 34 when engaged by the actuator arm 44,

the fingers 38 abut against opposite walls of the slot 34b as best shown in FIG. 4.

In accord with the present invention, initial rotation of the shaft 23 in either direction closes the switch contacts before rotation of the driver 26 begins. Initial rotation of the shaft means angular rotation of the shaft through a predetermined angle from either a normally-opened or closed switch position when the actuator arm is center between the contact fingers 38 to a closed or opened switch position. It is, therefore, essential that the spring centering means 36 can be flexed by the shaft sufi'iciently to permit displacement of the switch actuator 43 causing contact to be made between the actuator arm 44 and one of the contact fingers 38 before any displacement of the driver 26 occurs. If the spring centering means is too stiff, the torque applied for rotating the shaft will not flex the spring sufficiently to cause rotation of the driver 26 before the actuator arm 44 makes contact with one of the contact fingers. After the switch actuator 43 rotates through a predetermined angle and the actuator arm 44 is in electrical contact with one of the contact fingers, any additional or continued torque applied to the shaft is transmitted directly by the shaft through the actuator arm to the driver 26 causing movement of the wiper 21 and altering the resistance of the variable resistance control. When the torque is removed from the shaft, the energy stored in the spring centering means 36 is sufficient to overcome the friction between the shaft and the housing and cause movement of the actuator arm 44 in the opposite direction opening the electrical connection between the actuator arm 44 and one of the contact fingers 38 without disturbing the resistance setting of the control. Since the control is electrically connected to a mounting panel, a remotely controlled electrical circuit connected to the switch is rendered inoperable as soon as any torque is applied in either direction to the shaft 23 for manually altering the resistance of the variable resistance control. After proper adjustment has been made to the variable resistance control and the torque has been removed from the shaft, the actuator arm 44 rotates in the opposite direction and permits the remote control to operate.

In another embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 5-8 of the drawings, a variable resistance and electrical switch control 111 having a single driver 126 are combined in one housing. The control 111 comprises a housing 114 having apertured end walls. A base 115 identical to the base 15 closes one of the end walls of the housing 114 and is fixedly secured to the housing with a plurality of ears 116 folded over the outer surface of the base 115. Means defining an arcuate resistance path 117, e.g., a resistance element, is bonded or mechanically secured to the base 115 and the ends of the resistance path are connected to a pair of terminals 118. A collector ring 119 is fixedly secured to the base 115 and a wiper 121 electrically connects the resistance element 117 to a center terminal integral with the collector 119.

An electrically nonconductive supporting member 132 closes the aperture in the other end wall of the housing and a switch collector 141 has a pair of terminals 1410 received in a pair of slots 132a and stacked to the supporting member 132 at 141b (see FIGS. 5 and 6). A pair of ears 116a formed from the rear portion of the housing secure the supporting member 132 to the housing. The driver 126'is provided with a circular cavity 126a and a switch actuator 143 secured to the shaft 123 and constrained to rotate therewith is disposed in the cavity. A rectangular cavity 126b (see FIGS. 7 and 8) communicating with the circular cavity 126a retains a spring centering means and in this embodiment is a body of resilient material, i.e., an elastomer. A slot 135a provided in the body 135 receives the end portion 144a of the actuator arm 144. A switch contactor 137 provided with a pair of spaced contact fingers 138 disposed on opposite sides of the actuator arm 144 also is disposed in the cavity 126a and-maintained in spaced relationship from the switch actuator 143 by means of an annular ridge 136a supporting the peripheral edge of the contactor 137. The contact fingers 138 abut against wall portions 126d provided in the cavity 126a. A plurality of paddles 137a integral with the contactor 137 wipably engage the collector 141 electrically connecting the contact fingers 138 to the terminals 141a for any setting of the control 111. The supporting member 132 is provided with a bearing 132b (see FIG. 6) rotatably supporting the end 123a of the shaft 123. Circular openings provided in the collector 141 and in the contactor 137 electrically space the contactor and the collector from the shaft.

Any initial torque applied to the shaft 123 for adjusting the variable resistance control causes initial rotation of the actuator 143 through an are causing contact to be made between the actuator arm 144 and one of the contact fingers 138 for closing a circuit or eliminating a signal in the circuit by grounding before the driver is displaced and further torque alters the resistance of the variable resistance control. The initial torque applied to the shaft stores energy in the spring centering means 135 and such energy is sufficient to cause movement of the actuator arm 143 in the opposite direction for opening the electrical connection between the actuator arm 144 and one of the contacts 138 when the torque is removed from the shaft. The spring centering means 135 resiliently connects the driver 126 to the control actuating means or shaft 123 and positions the actuating arm 144 between the contact fingers maintaining the switch in a normally open position when no torque is applied to the shaft.

In still another embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings, spring centering means 235 such as a steel'hairpin spring having symmetrical legs 235b, is carried by a driver 226 and employed for centering an actuator arm 244 between a pair of contact fingers 238. Initial rotation of the actuator arm 244 in either direction deflects one of the legs 235b of the hairpin springcausing an electrical connection to be made between the actuator arm 244 and one of the contact fingers 238. The energy stored in one of the legs 235b of the hairpin spring 235 centers the actuator arm 244 between the pair of contact fingers 238 when the torque causing rotation of the actuator arm 244 is removed.

While there has been illustrated and described what is at present believed to be a preferred embodiment of the present invention and several modifications thereof, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications are likely to occur to those skilled in the art and it is intended in the appended claims tocover all those changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Iclaim:

1. In a switch, the combination of a movable driver, a contactor carried by the driver, a contact connected to the contactor, means for electrically connecting the contactor to an electrical circuit, actuating means, an actuator constrained to move with the actuating means and provided with a portion movable in an interference path with the contact, and spring means resiliently connecting the driver to the actuating means whereby a force applied to the actuating means causes initial movement of the actuating means in one direction, such movement of the actuator means stressing the spring means until the actuator moves relative to the contact and altering the circuit connection therebetween and further movement of the actuating means in the same direction causes movement of the driver, the energy stored in the spring means being insufficient to overcome the friction maintaining the driver stationary relative to the means electrically connecting the contactor but sufficient to cause movement of the actuating means in the other direction and again alter the circuit connection between the actuator and the contact when the force is removed from the actuating means. 1

2. The switch as defined in claim 1, wherein the contactor is provided with a pair of spaced contacts, the portion of the actuator is disposed between the contacts by the spring means, and initial movement of the actuating means in either direction stresses the spring means and moves the actuator relative to at least one of the pair of contacts and further movement of the actuating means in the same direction causes movement of the driver.

3. The switch as defined in claim 1, wherein the actuating means comprises a shaft rotatably supporting in the housing and the force is rotational torque applied to the shaft.

4. The switch as defined in claim 2, wherein the actuating means comprises a shaft rotatably supported in the housing and the force is rotational torque applied to the shaft.

5. The switch as defined in claim 3, wherein the spring means is connected to the shaft and extends radially from the shaft, and one end of the spring means is secured to the driver for resiliently connecting the driver to the shaft.

6. The switch as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for electrically connecting the contactor comprises an electrically nonconductive member disposed in spaced relationship to the actuator, a collector carried by the member, and a terminal integral with the collector for connecting the switch into an electrical circuit, the contactor slidably engages the collector, and the actuating means is of electrically conductive material.

7. The switch as defined in claim 2, wherein the means for electrically connecting the contactor comprises an electrically nonconductive member disposed in spaced relationship to the actuator, a collector carried by the member, and a terminal integral with the collector for connecting the switch into an electrical circuit, the contactor slidably engages the collector,

and the actuating means is of electrically conductive material.

8. The switch as'defined in claim 3, wherein the means for electrically connecting the contactor comprises an electrically nonconductive member disposed in spaced relationship to the actuator, a collector carried by the member, and a terminal integral with the collector for connecting the switch into an electrical circuit, the contactor slidably engages the collector, and the actuating means is of electrically conductive material.

9. The switch as defined in claim 5, wherein the means for electrically connecting the contactor comprises an electrically nonconductive member disposed in spaced relationship to the actuator, a collector carried by the member, and a terminal integral with the collector for connecting the switch into an electrical circuit, the contactor slidably engages the collector, and the actuating means is of electrically conductive material.

10. The switch as defined in claim 2, wherein the spring means comprises a resilient member carried by the driver and straddling the actuator for centering the portion of the actuator between the contacts.

11. The switch as defined in claim 3, wherein the spring means comprises a resilient member carried by the driver and straddling the actuator for centering the portion of the actuator between the contacts. 

1. In a switch, the combination of a movable driver, a contactor carried by the driver, a contact connected to the contactor, means for electrically connecting the contactor to an electrical circuit, actuating means, an actuator constrained to move with the actuating means and provided with a portion movable in an interference path with the contact, and spring means resiliently connecting the driver to the actuating means whereby a force applied to the actuating means causes initial movement of the actuating means in one direction, such movement of the actuator means stressing the spring means until the actuator moves relative to the contact and altering the circuit connection therebetween and further movement of the actuating means in the same direction causes movement of the driver, the energy stored in the spring means being insufficient to overcome the friction maintaining the driver stationary relative to the means electrically connecting the contactor but sufficient to cause movement of the actuating means in the other direction and again alter the circuit connection between the actuator and the contact when the force is removed from the actuating means.
 2. The switch as defined in claim 1, wherein the contactor is provided with a pair of spaced contacts, the portion of the actuator is disposed between the contacts by the spring means, and initial movement of the actuating means in either direction stresses the spring means and moves the actuator relative to at least one of the pair of contacts and further movement of the actuating means in the same direction causes movement of the driver.
 3. The switch as defined in claim 1, wherein the actuating means comprises a shaft rotatably supporting in the housing and the force is rotational torque applied to the shaft.
 4. The switch as defined in claim 2, wherein the actuating means comprises a shaft rotatably supported in the housing and the force is rotational torque applied to the shaft.
 5. The switch as defined in claim 3, wherein the spring means is connected to the shaft and extends radially from the shaft, and one end of the spring means is secured to the driver for resiliently connecting the driver to the shaft.
 6. The switch as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for electrically connecting the contactor comprises an electrically nonconductive member disposed in spaced relationship to the actuator, a collector carried by the member, and a terminal integral with the collector for connecting the switch into an electrical circuit, the contactor slidably engages the collector, and the actuating means is of electrically conductive material.
 7. The switch as defined in claim 2, wherein the means for electrically connecting the contactor comprises an electrically nonconductive member disposed in spaced relationship to the actuator, a collector carried by the member, and a terminal integral with the collector for connecting the switch into an electrical circuit, the contactor slidably engages the collector, and the actuating means is of electrically conductive material.
 8. The switch as defined in claim 3, wherein the means for electrically connecting the contactor comprises an electrically nonconductive member disposed in spaced relationship to the actuator, a collector carried by the member, and a terminal integral with the collector for connecting the switch into an electrical circuit, the contactor slidably engages the collector, and the actuating means is of electrically conductive material.
 9. The switch as defined in claim 5, wherein the means for electrically connecting the contactor comprises an electrically nonconductive member disposed in spaced relationship to the actuator, a collector carried by the member, and a terminal integral with the collector for connecting the switch into an electrical circuit, the contactor slidably engages the collector, and the actuating means is of electrically conductive material.
 10. The switch as defined in claim 2, wherein the spring means comprises a resilient member carried by the driver and straddling the actuator for centering the portion of the actuator between the contacts.
 11. The switch as defined in claim 3, wherein the spring means comprises a resiliEnt member carried by the driver and straddling the actuator for centering the portion of the actuator between the contacts. 